There’s plenty on the line tonight as Pittsburgh hosts Boston in a matchup of the Eastern Conference’s two top teams.

For Boston: 14 straight games unbeaten in regulation; Tim Thomas‘s 10-game winning streak, a chance to move within one point of the Penguins.

For Pittsburgh: Eight straight home games unbeaten in regulation; two-game winning streak, a chance to move five points clear of the Bruins.

Of course, Boston will have a major advantage in the health department.

The B’s have been at full strength almost the entire year, no small feat considering their lengthy Stanley Cup run and short offseason. Eleven players have suited up for all 24 games, allowing head coach Claude Julien to maintain consistency with his lineup — probably a big reason why Boston’s playing so well as of late.

Tonight doesn’t mean a ton in that whatever happens, it’s still only December and the standings are still going to change a ton before April.

That said, with apologies to the Flyers and Rangers, this is probably the best two teams in the East squaring off tonight, so it will be interesting to see how they size each other up tonight. VERY much looking forward to this one.